The essay should focus on an important/critical issue related to qualitative research. You should focus on one or two critical issues only and not try to cover many issues at a superficial level. Your essay is about demonstrating your knowledge of a specific issue related to qualitative research methodology.

The methodology essay will follow the usual structure of an essay e.g.: The title page will be followed by the essay which will contain a clear introduction, body and conclusion.

Following the conclusion, a reference list will be presented (see Student Manual). While there is room for being innovative, the essay must provide a discussion and analysis of the following key issues:

· epistemology, ontology and methodology;
· methods;
· research design issues; and
· analysis anticipation.

You will be marked on your ability to analyse and synthesise the literature e.g.: the adequacy of application, strengths and weaknesses, whether they provide a strong enough foundation on which to base rigorous research. Therefore, do not write a descriptive essay.

This is a research essay requiring you to search academic journals only - not textbooks or non-academic internet sources. You should primarily search the academic journals from online library. If you feel it is appropriate, you may use other journals if you consider the journal article to be a relevant and quality source for your assignment.

A minimum of eight (8) journal reference sources will help you write a more complete paper, if all the sources are relevant. It is preferable that your journal sources be no older than 10 years and, definitely, no earlier than 2000.

Note: you are discouraged from including excessive numbers of citations in your essay that do not add critical significance to your discussion, as there is NO reward in the marking process for quantity over quality.